Laundry treatment apparatus

ABSTRACT

A laundry treatment apparatus includes a circulation flow channel, which is divided into a first branch flow channel and a second branch flow channel so as to circulate air in a treatment chamber, a condenser disposed in the first branch flow channel, a heat radiation part for heating flowing air that has passed through the condenser, and a heat absorption part disposed in the second branch flow channel, wherein the heat radiation part and the heat absorption part constitute a thermoelectric heat pump device.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a laundry treatment apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, a laundry treatment apparatus refers to an apparatus that treats laundry by applying physical and chemical actions to laundry. For example, the laundry treatment apparatus may include a washing machine, which removes contaminants adhered to laundry, a dewatering machine, which dewaters laundry by rotating a wash tub, containing laundry therein, at a high speed, and a drying machine, which dries wet laundry by supplying cold air or hot air into a wash tub. A washing apparatus with drying function, which is adapted to perform washing and drying operations of laundry may be categorized as the laundry treatment apparatus.

In particular, a laundry treatment apparatus, which is able to dry laundry, generally heats air using an electric heater, and forcibly blow the heated air into a chamber into which clothes have been introduced. A laundry treatment apparatus, which incorporates a condensation drying system therein, is provided with a condenser for removing moisture from humid air that has passed through the chamber. In this case, the air that has passed through the condenser is heated by a heater.

However, since an electric heater generally consumes a large amount of electric power, and the energy efficiency thereof is not so high, there is a problem in that a user is reluctant to use the drying function of a laundry treatment apparatus.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a laundry treatment apparatus which incorporates a thermoelectric heat pump device therein.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treatment apparatus capable of reducing the amount of energy required for a drying process by incorporating a thermoelectric heat pump device as well as a heater.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treatment apparatus capable of more efficiently removing moisture from circulating air.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treatment apparatus which has improved clothes drying performance.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treatment apparatus in which the efficiency of heat radiation of a thermoelectric heat pump device is improved.

Solution to Problem

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a laundry treatment apparatus including a treatment chamber for containing clothes therein, a circulation flow channel for guiding flowing air so as to circulate the flowing air through the treatment chamber, a blower disposed in the circulation flow channel so as to forcibly blow the air, a heater for heating the air before the air is supplied into the treatment chamber, and a thermoelectric heat pump device for exchanging heat with the air before the air is heated by the heater, wherein the circulation flow channel includes a first branch flow channel and a second branch flow channel, which are connected to each other in parallel so as to divide the flowing air into a first flowing air branch and a second flowing air branch, and which guide the first flowing air branch and the second flowing air branch, respectively, wherein the laundry treatment apparatus further comprises a condenser disposed in the first branch flow channel so as to condense moisture contained in the first flowing air branch, wherein the thermoelectric heat pump device includes a heat radiation part disposed in the first branch flow channel so as to heat the first flowing air branch, which has passed through the condenser, a heat absorption part disposed in the second branch flow channel so as to cool the second flowing air branch, and a thermoelectric pump unit for transferring heat to the heat absorption part to the heat radiation part, and wherein the circulation flow channel further includes a converging flow channel in which the first branch flow channel and the second branch flow channel are joined with each other such that the first flowing air branch, having passed through the heat radiation part, and the second flowing air branch, having passed through the heat absorption part, meet each other and the mixed flowing air is guided toward the heater.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a laundry treatment apparatus including a treatment chamber for containing clothes therein, a circulation flow channel for guiding flowing air so as to circulate the flowing air through the treatment chamber, a blower disposed in the circulation flow channel so as to forcibly blow the air, a condenser for condensing moisture contained in flowing air discharged from the chamber, a heater for heating the flowing air before the flowing air is supplied into the treatment chamber, and a thermoelectric heat pump device for transferring heat from a heat absorption part to a heat radiation part, wherein the circulation flow channel includes a first branch flow channel and a second branch flow channel, which are connected to each other in parallel, so as to divide the flowing at an upstream side about the condenser and to guide the divided flowing airs, separately, wherein the condenser is disposed in the first branch flow channel, wherein the heat radiation part exchanges heat with flowing air guided through the first branch flow channel, wherein the heat absorption part exchanges heat with flowing air guided through the second branch flow channel, and wherein the first branch flow channel and the second branch flow channel are joined with each other at an upstream side about the heater.

The thermoelectric pump unit may include a Peltier element, and a heat radiation surface and a heat absorption surface, which are disposed on respective sides of the Peltier element, wherein the heat radiation part receives heat from the heat radiation surface, and the heat absorption part transfers heat to the heat absorption surface. At least one of the heat radiation part and the heat absorption part may include thermal conductive ribs.

The laundry treatment apparatus may include a refrigerant heat pump constituted by the condenser.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

The laundry treatment apparatus according to the present invention uses not only a heater but also a thermoelectric heat pump device in order to heat circulating air, and thus offers an effect of reducing the amount of energy required in a drying process compared to the case in which only a heater is used.

Furthermore, it is possible to more efficiently remove moisture from circulating air compared to the case in which only a condenser is used. Consequently, the performance of drying clothes is improved.

In addition, the efficiency of heat radiation of a thermoelectric heat pump device is improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a drying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a cross-section of a thermoelectric heat pump device; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating a washing apparatus with drying function according to another embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The advantages, features and methods for achieving those of embodiments may become apparent upon referring to embodiments described later in detail together with the attached drawings. However, the embodiments are not limited to the embodiments disclosed hereinafter, but may be embodied in different modes. The embodiments are provided for completeness of disclosure and to inform the scope thereof to persons skilled in this field of art. The same reference numbers may refer to the same elements throughout the specification.

A laundry treatment apparatus according to the present invention, which is an appliance having a function of drying laundry, may include a drying apparatus la for performing an exclusive operation of drying clothes (see FIG. 1), a washing apparatus 1 b with drying function for performing both washing and drying operations (see FIG. 3) and the like.

FIG. 1 is a view schematically illustrating a drying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a thermoelectric heat pump device. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the drying apparatus la according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a treatment chamber 2 for containing clothes, a circulation flow channel 20 for guiding flowing air for circulation through the treatment chamber 2, a blower 7 mounted in the circulation flow channel 20 so as to forcibly blow the air, a heater 10 for heating the air prior to introduction thereof into the treatment chamber 2, and a thermoelectric heat pump device 30 for exchanging heat with the flowing air before the air is heated by the heater 10.

In a casing (not show) defining the appearance of the drying apparatus la, there are provided various components such as the treatment chamber 2, the circulation flow channel 20, a condenser 41, the heater 10 and the thermoelectric heat pump device 30. The treatment chamber 2 may be configured to have a drum shape, which is open at the front and rear surfaces thereof, so as to contain therein objects to be dried, such as clothes, and may be configured to be rotated about a horizontal rotating axis o. In some embodiments, the treatment chamber 2 may be inclined such that the open front surface, through which clothes are introduced into the treatment chamber 2, is positioned higher than the rear surface. In this case, the rotating axis O may be inclined with respect to a horizontal line.

Although not illustrated in the drawings, the treatment chamber 2 may be provided therein with a plurality of lifters, which protrude at predetermined intervals from the inner surface thereof and extend longitudinally, such that clothes contained in the treatment chamber 2 are lifted to a predetermined height by the lifters and are then allowed to drop. The treatment chamber 2 may receive the rotating force from the motor 8 via a belt 5 wound around the outer circumferential surface thereof.

The front and rear ends of the treatment chamber 2 may be rotatably supported by a front support 3 and a rear support 4, respectively. The front support 3 and/or the rear support 4 may include a roller (not shown), which rolls in the state of being in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the treatment chamber 2.

The front support 3 may be provided with an introduction port, through which clothes are put into or taken out of the treatment chamber 2. The introduction portion may be opened or closed by a door 9. The front support 3 may be coupled to one end of the circulation flow channel 20, and may be provided with an air discharge port for allowing the treatment chamber 3 to communicate with the circulation flow channel 20. The air discharge port may be provided with a filter 6 for collecting contaminants such as dust, lint or the like, which are contained in the air discharged through the air discharge port from the treatment chamber 2. In order to allow a user to easily remove contaminants collected on the filter 6, the filter 6 may be detachably coupled to the front support 3 or the circulation flow channel 20.

The other end of the circulation flow channel 20 may be connected to the rear support 4. The rear support 4 may be provided with an air supply port, which enables the treatment chamber 2 to communicate with the circulation flow channel 20 so as to allow air to be supplied into the treatment chamber 2 through the circulation flow channel 20.

The circulation flow channel 20 serves as a flow channel for guiding air discharged from the treatment chamber 2 outside the treatment chamber 2. Specifically, the circulation flow channel 20 includes the section between the air discharge port in the front support 3 and the air supply port in the rear support 4.

The flowing air, which is transferred through the circulation flow channel 20, may be generated by rotation of the blower 7. In this embodiment, the blower 7 is rotated by the motor 8, which is also utilized to rotate the belt 50. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto, and an additional motor may further be provided.

The circulation flow channel 20 may include a first branch flow channel 22 and a second branch flow channel 23, which are connected to each other in parallel. The circulation flow channel 20 may diverge into the first branch flow channel 22 and the second branch flow channel 23 from a portion, which is positioned upstream of the condenser 41. The flowing air, which is transferred through the circulation flow channel 20, is divided into a first flowing air branch 1 and a second flowing air branch F2, which are respectively transferred through the first branch flow channel 22 and the second branch flow channel 23.

The first branch flow channel 22 may be provided with the condenser 41 for condensing the moisture contained in the first flowing air branch Fl. The condenser 41 may constitute a refrigerant heat pump 40. The refrigerant heat pump 40 constitutes a refrigerant circulation cycle, which performs compression, expansion, evaporation and condensation of refrigerant injected into a closed flow channel, so as to exchange heat between the refrigerant and surrounding medium (for example, the first flowing air branch F1). To this end, the drying apparatus may include a compressor 42 for compressing the refrigerant, an expansion valve (not shown) for expanding the refrigerant, which has been compressed by the compressor 42, an evaporation heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant, which has been expanded by the expansion valve and surrounding medium (e.g. air), so as to evaporate the refrigerant, a condensation heat exchanger for further exchanging heat between the refrigerant, which has been evaporated while passing through the evaporator and low-temperature surrounding medium, so as to condense the refrigerant, and the like. This construction is well known to those in the art. The condenser 41, which includes by an evaporator constituting the heat pump 40, serves to contact flowing airing in the first branch flow channel 22 so as to condense moisture contained in the first flowing air branch F1.

In some embodiments, a water-cooling condenser of an air-cooling condenser may be provided. In the case of the water-cooling condenser, cold water may be supplied into the first branch flow channel 22. In this case, high-temperature and high-humidity air contacts the cold water, thereby being condensed.

The air-cooling condenser may include a cooling fan (not shown), which is disposed outside the circulation flow channel 20 so as to cool the first branch flow channel 22. In this case, the first flowing air branch F1 is cooled by the cooling fan, and moisture contained in the first flowing air 1 is thus condensed.

A separator 12, which discharges, the condensed water collected in the first branch flow channel 22, to the outside, may be provided. The separator 12 may be disposed at an appropriate position on the first branch flow channel 22, at which condensed water is collected. The separator 12 may preferably include a check valve, which opens the flow channel only during the discharge of condensed water and maintains the flow channel in the closed state when condensed water is not being discharged, so as to allow discharge of condensed water while preventing the leakage of air.

The thermoelectric heat pump device 30 may include a heat radiation part 32, which is disposed in the first branch flow channel 22 so as to heat at least a part of the first flowing air branch F1, which has passed through the condenser 41, a heat absorption part 33, which is disposed in the second branch flow channel 23 so as to cool at least a part of the second flowing air branch F2, and a thermoelectric pump unit 31 for transferring heat from the heat absorption part 33 to the heat radiation part 32.

The thermoelectric pump unit 31 is a device adapted to transfer heat, which is generated from one of two surfaces thereof having different temperatures, to the other surface using a thermoelectric effect. Since this principle is well known in the art, a description thereof is omitted herein.

Referring to FIG. 2, the thermoelectric pump unit 31 may include a Peltier element, and a heat radiation surface 31 b and a heat absorption surface 31 c, which are disposed on two surfaces of the Peltier element. When the electric power is supplied to the thermoelectric pump unit 31, heat from the heat radiation surface 31 b is transferred to the heat radiation part 32, and, at the same time, heat from the heat absorption part 33 is transferred to the heat absorption surface 31 c. In FIG. 2, a plurality of Peltier elements are stacked on a printed circuit board (PCB).

At least one of the heat radiation part 32 and the heat absorption part 33 may include a thermal conductive rib 35. The thermal conductive rib 35, which is intended to increase the surface area contributing to heat radiation or heat absorption, may include a plurality of thermal conductive ribs 35.

More specifically, the heat radiation part 32 may include a first thermal conductive plate 32 a, a first surface of which faces the heat radiation surface 31 b. The first thermal conductive plate 32 a may be provided on a second surface opposite to the first surface thereof with a plurality of ribs 35, which are disposed at predetermined intervals and extend in the direction of air flow.

The heat absorption part 33 may include a second thermal conductive plate 33 a, a first surface of which faces the heat absorption surface 31 c. In this embodiment, the ribs 35 are configured to have substantially the same structure, and are provided on the heat absorption part 33 and the heat radiation part 32. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the first and second thermal conductive plates 32 a and 33 a or the ribs 35 may be configured to have appropriate shapes depending on the shape of the first branch flow channel 22 and/or the second branch flow channel 23.

In the case in which the ribs 35 constitute the heat absorption part 33, if a distance between the ribs 35 is expensively small, condensed water cannot efficiently flow along the surfaces of the ribs 35, and may block the flow of air passing through the gaps between the ribs 35. Accordingly, it is preferable to set an appropriate distance between the ribs 35.

The circulation flow channel 20 may further include a converging flow channel 24, in which the first branch flow channel 22 and the second branch flow channel 23 are joined each other such that the first flowing air branch F1, which has passed through the heat radiation part 32, and the second flowing air branch F2, which has passed through the heat absorption part 33, meet each other and such that the mixed flowing air is guided to the heater 10.

One end of the converging flow channel 24, through which flowing air is discharged, communicates with the treatment chamber 2 through the air supply port in the rear support 4. The converging flow channel 24 may be provided with the heater 10. The heater 10, which generates heat due to electric resistance, may be constituted by a sheath heater, a coil heater or the like.

The first flowing air branch F1, which is discharged from the first branch flow channel 22, and the second flowing air branch F2, which is discharged from the second branch flow channel 23, meet each other in the converging flow channel 24, and the mixed flowing air is heated by the heater 10 and is supplied into the treatment chamber 2 again.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating a washing apparatus 1 b with drying function for performing both washing and drying operations according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, the components that are identical to those of the previous embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the previous embodiment is to be incorporated in place of providing the description of such components.

Referring to FIG. 3, the washing apparatus 1 b according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a tub 13, which is disposed in a casing (not shown) defining the appearance of washing apparatus 1 b so as to contain washing water therein, and a treatment chamber or rotatable drum 2 disposed in the tub 13. The chamber 2 may be provided therethrough with a plurality of through holes 2 a so as to allow washing water to be circulated between the tub 13 and the treatment chamber 2.

The washing apparatus 1 b may include a water supply unit 14 for supplying washing water into the tub 13 through a water supply flow channel 15, a water discharge flow channel 16 for discharging washing water from the tub 13, and a water discharge pump 17 disposed in the water discharge flow channel 16. Since the water supply flow channel 15, the water supply unit 14, the water discharge flow channel 16 and the water discharge pump 17 are well known to those in the art, descriptions thereof are omitted.

The tub 13 may be provided with an air discharge port, through which air is discharged into the circulation flow channel 20, and an air supply port, through which air is introduced from the circulation flow channel 20. The tub 13 includes a fixed cylindrical drum part 13 a and a rear wall part 13 b for closing the rear end of the drum part 13 a. The air discharge port is formed in a lower portion of the rear wall part 13 b, and the air supply port is formed in an upper portion of the drum part 13 a.

Although the blower 7 is provided in the converging flow channel 24 in this embodiment, the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto.

In a conventional washing apparatus with drying function, a drying duct, which is intended to supply air, heated by the heater 10, into the tub 13, is disposed behind the tub 13. This embodiment is provided with the first branch flow channel 22 and the second branch flow channel 23 by changing the structure of a conventional drying duct.

In the above-described embodiments, air, which is discharged from the treatment chamber 2, contains a large amount of moisture, which is absorbed from clothes. Since a portion of the humid air (i.e. the first flowing air branch F1) is introduced into the first branch flow channel 22, and moisture contained in the air is thus condensed by the condenser 41, the remaining portion of the air (i.e. the second flowing air branch F2), which is introduced into the second branch flow channel 23, has a relatively high humidity compared to the first flowing air branch F1, and thus has higher heat capacity than the first flowing air branch F1. Accordingly, there is an effect of increasing the amount of heat energy transferred from the heat absorption part 33 to the heat radiation part 32 by virtue of the thermoelectric pump unit 31. Furthermore, it is possible to improve the efficiency of heat radiation of the heat radiation part 32 by reducing the temperature difference between the heat absorption part 33 and the heat radiation part 32. Here, the efficiency of heat radiation may be maximized by appropriately controlling the ratio of the surface area at which the heat absorption part 33 contacts air to the surface area at which the heat radiation part 32 contacts air.

In the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present invention, since not only the heater 10 but also the heat radiation part 32 serves to heat air supplied into the treatment chamber 2, the laundry treatment apparatus can be operated using a heater 10 having a heat capacity that is reduced by an amount corresponding to the heat capacity supplied from the heat radiation part 32. In particular, since the efficiency of the thermoelectric heat pump device 30 is superior to the heater 10, which generates heat based on electric resistance, there is an advantage of improving the overall energy efficiency of the drying system.

MODE FOR THE INVENTION

Various embodiments have been described in the best mode for carrying out the invention.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. 

1. A laundry treatment apparatus comprising: a treatment chamber for containing clothes therein; a circulation flow channel for guiding flowing air so as to circulate the flowing air through the treatment chamber; a blower disposed in the circulation flow channel so as to forcibly blow the air; a heater for heating the air before the flowing air is supplied into the treatment chamber; and a thermoelectric heat pump device for exchanging heat with the flowing air before the flowing air is heated by the heater, wherein the circulation flow channel includes a first branch flow channel and a second branch flow channel, which are connected to each other in parallel so as to divide the flowing air into a first flowing air branch and a second flowing air branch, and which guide the first flowing air branch and the second flowing air branch, respectively, wherein the laundry treatment apparatus further comprises a condenser disposed in the first branch flow channel so as to condense moisture contained in the first flowing air branch, wherein the thermoelectric heat pump device comprises: a heat radiation part disposed in the first branch flow channel so as to heat the first flowing air branch, which has passed through the condenser; a heat absorption part disposed in the second branch flow channel so as to cool the second flowing air branch; and a thermoelectric pump unit for transferring heat from the heat absorption part to the heat radiation part, and wherein the circulation flow channel further includes a converging flow channel in which the first branch flow channel and the second branch flow channel are joined with each other such that the first flowing air branch, which has passed through the heat radiation part, and the second flowing air branch, which has passed through the heat absorption part, meet each other and the mixed flowing air is guided toward the heater.
 2. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the thermoelectric pump unit comprises: a Peltier element; and a heat radiation surface and a heat absorption surface, which are disposed on respective sides of the Peltier element, wherein the heat radiation part receives heat from the heat radiation surface, and the heat absorption part transfers heat to the heat absorption surface.
 3. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the heat radiation part and the heat absorption part includes thermal conductive ribs.
 4. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the laundry treatment apparatus includes a refrigerant heat pump constituted by the condenser.
 5. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the treatment chamber is rotatable.
 6. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the condenser includes a cooling fan, which is disposed outside the circulation flow channel so as to cool the first branch flow channel.
 7. A laundry treatment apparatus comprising: a treatment chamber for containing clothes therein; a circulation flow channel for guiding flowing air so as to circulate the flowing air through the treatment chamber; a blower disposed in the circulation flow channel so as to forcibly blow the air; a condenser for condensing moisture contained in flowing air discharged from the chamber; a heater for heating the air before the flowing air is supplied into the treatment chamber; and a thermoelectric heat pump device for transferring heat from a heat absorption part to a heat radiation part, wherein the circulation flow channel includes a first branch flow channel and a second branch flow channel, which are connected to each other in parallel, so as to divide the flowing air at an upstream side about the condenser and to guide the divided flowing airs, separately, wherein the condenser is disposed in the first branch flow channel, wherein the heat radiation part exchanges heat with flowing air guided through the first branch flow channel; wherein the heat absorption part exchanges heat with flowing air guided through the second branch flow channel; and wherein the first branch flow channel and the second branch flow channel are joined with each other at an upstream side about the heater.
 8. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the thermoelectric pump unit comprises: a Peltier element; and a heat radiation surface and a heat absorption surface, which are disposed on respective sides of the Peltier element, wherein the heat radiation part receives heat from the heat radiation surface, and the heat absorption part transfers heat to the heat absorption surface.
 9. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 8, wherein at least one of the heat radiation part and the heat absorption part includes thermal conductive ribs.
 10. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the laundry treatment apparatus includes a refrigerant heat pump constituted by the condenser. 